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built in or integrated refrigeration- french door, side/side or column

8 years ago

These forums have been so helpful as we do our whole house remodel. starting kitchen and have an opening that can accommodate up to a 48" fridge. Intend to panel so that it looks like furniture, so would prefer integrated but can also make the built in work as we do not have cabinetry on either side to worry about. was sold on the Thermador 30/18 columns but panels won't look symmetric so now I am second guessing. looked at SubZ 42" french as well as 48" side/side and 36" french. 42" french best suits our needs as a family of 4, but am going with the Thermador range so the savings if I go with their fridge is significant. Anything else I should look at? I don't think a 24" fridge column is big enough. Thanks!

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johnsoro25

8 years ago

Would you consider splitting the columns up? We have 30" refrigerator and freezer flanking our range. Very, very happy with Thermador.

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Comments (7)

DYH
8 years ago
I just added on a kitchen (not quite finished) and since i wanted a Thermador 36" dual fuel range, I looked at their fridges. Consumer Reports gave their French door a rating that I liked for pro-style. I bought the 36" French door. I also got in on their "buy 2, get one free" and my Thermador dishwasher was free, but I paid $200 more to get their top dishwasher. My hood was somehow part of this and the blower and parts were free, too.

A word about Thermador -- the compressors are on the bottom, so the fridge is taller than one with the compressors at the top. I prefer it this way since I can reach the top shelf. I housesat for three months this summer for someone with a huge SubZero and the compressor at the top always looked like it was a dust-catcher. I have panels, they didn't.

In this photo, grouting isn't done; range hood isn't up; frame piece above the Thermador fridge needs to be installed, so you won't see that gap.
reddyinga thanked DYH
User
8 years ago
dyhgarden -- lookin' good!
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reddyinga
Original Author
8 years ago
dyhgarden looks great - Thanks for the pic! i am doing a 48" all gas range and selected thermador before I even knew about their promotion. Like you, my hood insert and dishwasher will be free and it saves so much $$ its hard to consider moving to a different brand for a fridge. I so wish they had an option for a 42" fridge - I have about a 54" opening in total so could make a 42 fridge with cabinetry surround look a little more symmetrical than my 30/18 columns... but sadly they do not and I think the 36 french is just a little too small for us. We have an old school fridge right now that has about the same cubic ft as the 36 french for refrigeration, and its tight.
reddyinga
Original Author
8 years ago
johnsoro25 can't split them up - but your layout looks great!
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Reddy - how many are in your family and how far do you live from the grocer and how often do you visit ?

ill bet the 24" ALL fridge is bigger than you think AND pletny big enough for all but the Brady Bunch size family with star atheletes.

Besides, the theoretical max diff. btw the 30"and the 24" is roughly five cu. ft. which sounds like a lot on a spread sheet but isn't going to buy you another week away from the grocery store. And that's the theoretical max.
reddyinga
Original Author
8 years ago
johnsoro25 - now considering 30/30 is the 30 freezer way too big or do you find you fill itup?

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